King James Bible
"And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say:"
Jesus anticipates his followers will face trials before both religious authorities (synagogues) and civil powers (magistrates), reflecting the dual persecution early Christians would experience. This progression from Jewish to Roman courts mirrors the pattern seen in Acts and prepares disciples for comprehensive opposition. The command addresses the natural anxiety of defending oneself before hostile authorities, instructing believers not to rehearse or strategize their defense beforehand. This reflects Jesus' consistent teaching against worry and demonstrates radical trust in divine provision during persecution. The distinction between 'how' (manner) and 'what' (content) emphasizes complete reliance on God for both the substance and delivery of their testimony. This promise connects to the next verse where the Holy Spirit provides the words, transforming trials into opportunities for Spirit-empowered witness.